Each year, Palm Beach County comes together to honor the trailblazing women who are shaping the future of our community at the Annual Cynthia Allen Gracey Women in Leadership Awards (WILA) Luncheon. Hosted by the Executive Women of the Palm Beaches Foundation, Inc. (EWPBF), this prestigious event recognizes exceptional women across the public, private, nonprofit, and volunteer sectors for their leadership, impact, and service. Two of this year’s honorees were South Florida Tech Hub members Julia Dattalo and Pam Rauch.
Founded in 1982, the Executive Women of the Palm Beaches Foundation was created by a group of senior professional and executive women who shared a vision: to uplift, support, and advance women in business and community leadership throughout Palm Beach County. Today, EWPBF’s membership spans across industries, including arts and culture, banking, construction, education, healthcare, law, marketing, real estate, nonprofit management, and more. Their collective mission is clear—to inspire and empower women both personally and professionally for the betterment of business and community.
Julia Dattolo (CareerSource Palm Beach County) and Pam Rauch (Florida Power & Light)
Through a commitment to networking, mentorship, education, advocacy, and volunteerism, EWPBF has become a cornerstone in advancing opportunities for women and girls. Its members are not only leaders in their respective fields but also active contributors to the broader nonprofit landscape of Palm Beach County.
The Women in Leadership Awards Luncheon is more than just a celebration—it’s a powerful platform to spotlight the accomplishments of women who lead with integrity, innovation, and compassion. Established as the first event of its kind in Palm Beach County, the WILA Luncheon has become one of the region’s most anticipated annual gatherings.
The 41st Annual WILA Luncheon was held on April 2, 2025, at the elegant Kravis Center for the Performing Arts in West Palm Beach. The event keynote was Stacy Blythe, SVP at Big Loud Records. This year’s sold-out luncheon showcased the remarkable contributions of four inspiring women:
2025 Honorees
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🏅 Emerging Leader Award: Pranoo Kumar, Rohi’s Readery and Rohi’s Liberation Station
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🏅 Nonprofit Sector Award: Julia Dattalo, CareerSource Palm Beach County
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🏅 Public Sector Award: Kalinthia Dillard, Palm Beach County
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🏅 Private Sector Award: Pam Rauch, Florida Power & Light
Julia Dattalo, CEO of CareerSource Palm Beach County accepts her award.
Each honoree embodies the values of leadership, resilience, and service—core tenets of EWPBF’s mission.
“Knowing that this award celebrates my achievements, collaborations and the positive change I have made in our community in the eyes of the most celebrated female executives of Palm Beach County is nothing short of humbling,” shared Julia Dattalo, CEO of CareerSource Palm Beach County.” However, the honor of this award belongs to every female leader, who inspired me and collaborated with me to make a difference in our community as well as my team at CareerSource PBC.”
Beyond the celebration, the WILA Luncheon serves as a critical fundraising event. Proceeds benefit EWPBF’s robust scholarship and grantmaking programs: College Scholarships awarded to deserving young women in Palm Beach County, helping them pursue higher education and fulfill their potential and the Lois Kwasman Program for Community Impact, which provides significant grants to local nonprofit programs that address pressing needs for children, teens, and young adults.
Over the past four decades, EWPBF has awarded more than 200 scholarships and 17 impactful grants, contributing to the advancement of hundreds of lives across the region. These programs reflect EWPBF’s deep investment in the future of leadership—starting with education, opportunity, and support.
“Organizations such as EWPB’s provide strong networking among female executives, supports mentoring among executives and future leaders. The connections with the women in the group is inspiring. Surrounding oneself with like-minded women leads to problem solving, personal and professional growth and support,” said Julia Dattalo.
Whether through mentorship, philanthropy, or public recognition, the Executive Women of the Palm Beaches Foundation remains steadfast in its goal: to uplift women, champion their successes, and build a stronger, more inclusive community for all. To learn more about EWPBF, become a member, or support their scholarship and grant programs, visit ewpb.org.